The Gem Spectrum is Pala International’s free newsletter. Edited by Pala’s own Gabrièl Mattice, it is filled with interesting articles on various aspects of gems.
    We distribute The Gem Spectrum free within the United States to members of the gem and jewelry trades. If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please contact us.

Within recent months, significant quantities of top-quality peridot have appeared on the world market. Sometime in the late spring of 1992 this find was uncovered in Pakistan’s Suppatt region and is the focus of this issue.

Pakistan peridot crystal (Photo: Harold & Erica Van Pelt)

    These magnetite-forming veins are the source of income to some 2,000 local Pakistani miners working several different mining locations. The recovery method is an arduous task of drilling and blasting (by hand) which has resulted in yields of several thousand kilos. These numbers easily qualify this find as a major contender to compete with the historical locations of Burma and Arizona.
    Similar to the Burmese and Egyptian localities, which also produce primary crystal formations, the Pakistani peridot forms in pockets, in high temperature veins so the material is virtually transparent. Peridot produced from porphyroblasts in basalts (i.e. the Arizona variety) form more included crystals which will usually display the more commonly known lilly pad and black chromite inclusions. The Pakistani peridot shows inclusions which have not yet been positively identified as of this printing, however material has been submitted to the GIA for analysis. Prices for smaller, more commercial sizes will have to compete with the China and Arizona material but over 15-ct gems will perhaps command a premium comparable to the finest Burmese stones.

GEOGRAPHY
Pakistan, formerly a republic in southern Asia, is bordered by India to the east, the Arabian Sea (an arm of the Indian Ocean) to the south, Iran to the southwest, and Afghanistan to the west and north. This region became part of British India in 1857. When India gained its independence in 1947, Moslem leaders demanded a separate Moslem state, and the nation of Pakistan was established. Originally, Pakistan consisted of two regions, West Pakistan (now Pakistan) and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).

This issue’s reading recommendation is Peter Bancroft’s Gem and Crystal Treasures, published by Western Enterprises and the Mineralogical Record. Dr. Bancroft, a distinguished writer and lecturer on mining, minerals and gemstones has compiled a terrific hardcover, 475-plus page walk through time by bringing together 667 black-and-white original mining pictures and illustrations, as well as 320 color photos of crystals and gemstones. Touching upon some of the world’s most prolific deposits, Peter Bancroft has uncovered a wide range of information, some of it never before published. Gem and Crystal Treasures is highly readable and will make a valuable addition to anyone’s reference library. This book normally retails for $60, however we have a limited number available at $37.50.

SITE INFO 
The Suppatt region is nestled in the highlands above the Indus River Valley of the Himalayan Mountains and getting there is no field trip. It is said to take a seven-hour horseback ride before the grueling two day hike to the mining area can even begin. According to Laura Thompson, President of “Shades of the Earth” in Arizona, travel is mostly dangerous due to the high incidence of landslides. Because of the ruggedness of the terrain, not to mention the winter snow deep enough to cover a large house, mining is limited to only a few months a year (late June–September).

GEMOLOGY
Peridot is a magnesium-iron silicate, which in fine quality, contains much more magnesium than iron. Since the proportions vary in different deposits, some property variation is expected. The refractive indices for the usual green or the rare brown gem peridot is 1.654–1.690 with a birefringence of (0.036). Specific gravity (SG) is typically 3.32 to 3.35, but slightly higher readings are occasionally encountered. Though its properties are similar, peridot can be distinguished from sinhalite both by its higher SG and by a beta index that is always near the midpoint between alpha and gamma (Liddicoat 1989, Handbook of Gem Identification). Identification should be able to be made with limited instrumentation.

MINERAL PROFILE
Peridot has always ranked as one of the rarest gem crystals obtainable by collectors, the most historic locality being St. John’s Island off the coast of Egypt. These crystals were of excellent color with very sharp, lustrous, well defined crystal faces. Another fine, and more contemporary, locality is Myanmar (formerly Burma). Crystals from this area are of superb color, but usually with heavily etched surfaces, giving them an almost melted appearance. Well-formed crystals seldom reach substantial size. Arizona has always been a prolific peridot locality, but the geology is such that crystals do not develop.
    Enter Pakistan… with this new deposit we now have, perhaps for the first time ever, peridot on matrix, with some of the largest crystals measuring five inches in length! These larger specimens are generally riddled with inclusions and fractures, but gemmy areas within have produced cut stones of 100 cts and greater. The crystals tend to have poorly defined structuring and faces, but a select few are sharp and lustrous. These beauties have sent collectors into a frenzy, purchasing specimens in sizes and qualities that were previously unknown.

SALES TIP
Peridot has enjoyed a popularity which is making retailers and colored stone dealers alike reevaluate their inventory. Knowing the alternatives will allow you to offer another choice to that customer who loves green but, for whatever reason, isn’t buying the more commonly chosen alternatives (i.e., emerald, green tourmaline, or tsavorite).

In the jewelry industry, I think all of my peers would agree that the busiest time of the year is Christmas... unless of course, you’re preparing for the Tucson Gem and Mineral show. This year’s show will run from February 1–11. If you’ve never been there, please take my suggestion and go.
    The Tucson show began in 1954 as a small mineral display in a school cafeteria, run by a gentleman named Bob Roots, Today it is celebrating it’s 41st year and has grown into one of the largest, most welI known and best-organized shows in the industry today.
    Since there are so many mineral affiliations now connected with the show, I’ll only name a few:

• Tucson Gem and Mineral Society (at the Convention Center)
• Arizona Mineral and Fossil Show (at the Executive and Quality Inns)
• Show of Integrity (Quality and Desert Inns)

• AGTA (American Gem Trade Assoc.) (Convention Center)
• GLDA (Gem and Lapidary Dealers Assoc.) (Holiday Inn Broadway)
• Gem 6 Lapidary Wholesalers (Holidome and Ramada Inn Downtown)

Gabrièl Mattice

Pala International – 25 Years of Color For twenty-five years Pala International Inc. has consistently earned its reputation as the direct source for the finest in colored stones. Numerous annual trips to the world’s major gem producing centers, as well as a state-of-the-art lapidary right on premises, enables Pala International’s staff to select from an in-stock inventory that is most impressive. In addition to tapping the world’s resources for fine colored gemstones, Pala International owns the Himalaya Mine located in the Mesa Grande District of San Diego County and is, in all probability, the largest producer of gem quality tourmaline in the Northern Hemisphere. On May 7th, 1989, one of the most important finds since the mine’s reopening 25 years ago was made. Over five hundred kilos of tourmaline were recovered within a three-month period. Pala International’s slogan is, “The only way to sell quality... is to buy it!” And making customer service a priority while adhering to rigid standards of excellence is what sets Pala International at the forefront of the gemstone industry.

IN OUR NEXT ISSUE... MYANMAR
Burma, presently known as Myanmar, is experiencing a welcome transformation which will hopefully lead to a resurgence of supply, and therefore, demand for its most precious resource – gemstones. Myanmar has been historically associated with the very finest ruby and jadeite, as well as some of the best sapphire, peridot, spinel and numerous other rare gemstones.
    Since our first visit in March of 1993, we have managed to purchase many exquisite gems and are now striving to help the Burmese advance their mining techniques and improve their gemological equipment. Recently we had the privilege of welcoming a delegation of influential gentlemen from the gem trade in Myanmar.
    Shortly after our March 1995 trip, our next newsletter will expand on the progress of trade and gemstone production. Also, many of our most recent purchases will be available at the Tucson show in February.


Special thanks to...

• Laura and Wayne Thompson, Shades of the Earth, Arizona